Astra Report | WNTN 1550 AM | Grecian Echoes

Listen to the Daily Global #News from Grecian Echoes and WNTN 1550 AM.  Demonstrators and mob stormed the Capitol halting democracy. Members of Congress came back at 8:00 pm voted to confirm Biden’s victory.  4 people lost their lives as a result of the Capitol storm yesterday. Democrats won both Georgia Senate seats, giving them control of all 3 branches of the US Government. US allies and adversaries looked on in shock and revulsion at yesterday’s events. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the "disgraceful scenes in US Congress.” German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas compared the violence to the Nazis burning the Reichstag parliament building in 1933, saying, “The enemies of democracy will rejoice at these inconceivable images.” Investors looked beyond the political turmoil, closing at records.  The tech sector was seen as a looser, as the democratic controlled congress and senate could possibly impose regulations to the tech industry.

Listen to the Daily Global #News from Grecian Echoes and WNTN 1550 AM.  The Rev. Raphael Warnock has defeated GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler in one of two critical Senate runoff races in Georgia, news outlets projects. Fellow Democrat Jon Ossoff early today is leading Sen. David Perdue in the other race. If Ossoff wins, Democrats will claim control of the Senate.  The House and the Senate will meet today to formally count the Electoral College votes from the 2020 presidential election.  The US hit a new daily high coronavirus death toll yesterday, with 3,775 new deaths reported across the country.  Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies have agreed to restore diplomatic relations with the tiny gas-rich nation of Qatar.  Greece is celebrating Theophania, with the faithful crowding churches, despite the COVID restrictions.

Listen to the Daily Global #News from Grecian Echoes and WNTN 1550 AM. If both Democrats win in Georgia it would shift the balance of power in the Senate to an even 50 seats for each party, with Vice President Kamala Harris as the tiebreaker once she's sworn in.  UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a harsh lockdown across England that will last at least through the middle of February. Italy also imposed new lockdowns, and Germany is considering extending coronavirus restrictions. Did President Trump broke any laws during a weekend call with Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in which he asked Raffensperger to “find” 11,870 votes to reverse his loss in the presidential election there.  Celtics beat Raptors, and Bruins in training camp minus Krug and Chara

Listen to the Daily Global #News from Grecian Echoes and WNTN 1550 AM.  Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has blocked an effort to boost forthcoming stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000.  The US hit a new dismal daily coronavirus record, with 3,725 deaths recorded yesterday.  The federal government’s Operation Warp Speed promised that 20 million doses would be administered before January 1, but only 11 million have been distributed, and just over 2 million have actually been given to people.  Argentina's Senate has approved a bill to legalize abortion in the Catholic-majority country.  Greece is investing in "Innovation zones" and 5G.  Celtics come back to beat Pacers.  And a reflection on 2020, let's not forget what we learned, being isolated and away from each other.  A tough year, but we made it, wishing all a 2021 full of hugs!

Listen to the Daily Global #News from Grecian Echoes and WNTN 1550 AM.  The House has passed to increase the stimulus checks attached to the new coronavirus relief bill to $2,000.  Also, the House has voted to override President Donald Trump’s veto of the wide-ranging defense bill.  A Columbus, Ohio, police officer who fatally shot an unarmed Black man during a non-emergency call last week has been fired.  French visionary fashion designer Pierre Cardin has died at age 98. Patriots continue to disappoint loosing to Bills 38-9.

Listen to the Daily Global #News from Grecian Echoes and WNTN 1550 AM.  In a video posted to Twitter, the President said he wanted bigger checks for Americans -- demanding at least $2,000 per adult as opposed to the $600 currently stipulated in the bill.  An average of more than 200,000 people have tested positive for coronavirus every day for two straight weeks in the US. But though new cases may have leveled off.  Israel is headed for another election, probably on March 23 next year.  The Justice Department is suing Walmart, accusing the retailer of contributing to the prescription opioid crisis by filling thousands of invalid prescriptions and failing to report suspicious orders of opioids.

Listen to the Daily Global #News from Grecian Echoes and WNTN 1550 AM.  Congress finally approved the long-awaited $900 billion Covid relief packageafter months of partisan gridlock. The package includes direct payments of up to $600 per adult, enhanced jobless benefits of $300 per week, roughly $284 billion in Paycheck Protection Program loans.  A new, mutated form of the coronavirus that originated in England is spreading across the globe -- and it could potentially be more contagious than what we've seen.  The US Military Academy at West Point is facing its worst cheating scandal in decades.  Alexey Navalny, the Russian opposition leader and nemesis of President Vladimir Putin, almost died after being poisoned in August by the lethal nerve agent Novichok was planted in his underwear.

Listen to the Daily Global #News from Grecian Echoes and WNTN 1550 AM.  Vice President Mike Pence is set to get a first shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine today.  South Korea plans to vaccinate more than 80% of its population -- about 44 million people -- by next November. Meanwhile, Germany and Japan have reported new record case numbers, and in the US, Covid-19 deaths have already topped 40,000 this month.  The Department of Homeland Security's cyber arm has warned that the recent cyberattack affecting government agencies is far broader than officials had thought.  Unemployment numbers are high, and about 14 million people are relying on government coronavirus aid programs that are set to expire at the end of the year unless Congress acts.  $150 million were invested in Greek startups in 2020.

Listen to the Daily Global #News from Grecian Echoes and WNTN 1550 AM.  Vaccine advisers to the FDA meet today to discuss emergency authorization for the Moderna vaccine.  The $900 billion #stimulus bill on the table includes an additional $300 a week in jobless benefits and a possible new round of stimulus checks at $600 per person.  Ten states are suing Google, alleging the company has stifled competition and enjoys "monopolistic power” over digital ad marketplaces.  French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for Covid-19.  Can you guess the perfect snow day series to watch? (Hint: it's about a table game protégée)